We couldn't get pictures of the actual items the Merrill CEO outfitted his office with last year -- the decorator involved refused. So we featured comparable items that could be acquired for much less money, from a Staples wastebasket to an eBay antique to an Ikea curtain. Clicking through the piece brings home the message of how extravagant the spending might be considered. A regular story or list wouldn't bring that home as well.

This isn't to pass judgment on John Thain's situation; plenty of other folks are doing that. This is just to point out how well the slideshow mechanism told the story. When some folks start debating the merits of Internet journalism versus older media, it's a point to keep in mind.